Daily Readings - Fri Aug 25 2017

First Reading - Ruth 1.1-2ab, 3-6, 14b-16, 22

¹In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a man from Bethlehem in Judah departed to sojourn in the region of the Moabites with his wife and two children²He called himself Elimelech, and his wife Naomi, and his two sons, the one Mahlon, and the other Chilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. And entering into the region of the Moabites, they stayed there³And Elimelech the husband of Naomi died; and she remained with her sons⁴They took wives from among the Moabites, of whom one was called Orpah, and the other Ruth. And they lived there ten years⁵And they both died, namely Mahlon and Chilion, and the woman was left alone, bereaved of her two children and her husband⁶And she arose so that she might journey to her native land, with both her daughters-in-law, from the region of the Moabites. For she had heard that the Lord had provided for his people and had given them food¹⁴In response, they lifted up their voice and began to weep again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and then turned back. Ruth clung to her mother-in-law¹⁵Naomi said to her, "See, your kinswoman returns to her people, and to her gods. Hurry after her.¹⁶She answered, "Do not be against me, as if I would abandon you and go away; for wherever you will go, I will go, and where you will stay, I also will stay with you. Your people are my people, and your God is my God²²Therefore, Naomi went with Ruth, the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, from the land of her sojourn, and returned to Bethlehem, at the time of the first reaping of the barley

Gospel - Matthew 22.34-40

Matthew

Chapter 22

³⁴But the Pharisees, hearing that he had caused the Sadducees to be silent, came together as one³⁵And one of them, a doctor of the law, questioned him, to test him³⁶"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?³⁷Jesus said to him: " ‘You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.³⁸This is the greatest and first commandment³⁹But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.⁴⁰On these two commandments the entire law depends, and also the prophets.

Sermon

The first reading from the Book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi, a woman who faces immense suffering and loss. She loses her husband and her two sons, leaving her alone and bereaved. Yet, in the midst of her grief, she shows remarkable strength and faith. When she decides to return to her homeland of Bethlehem, her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, initially accompany her. Orpah eventually returns to her own people, but Ruth clings to Naomi, declaring her unwavering loyalty and commitment to Naomi’s people and God. This passage highlights the power of fidelity and trust in the face of adversity. The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus being tested by the Pharisees, who ask him to identify the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus responds by citing two commandments: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He emphasizes that the entire law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. This teaching underscores the central importance of love—both for God and for others—as the foundation of Christian life. The readings today remind us that love and fidelity are at the heart of living a life pleasing to God. In the story of Ruth, we see an example of selfless love and loyalty, as Ruth chooses to remain with Naomi despite the difficulties she will face. Similarly, Jesus teaches us that love for God and neighbor is the essence of the Christian life. These readings call us to reflect on how we live out this love in our daily lives. Do we remain faithful even when circumstances are challenging? Do we show love and compassion to those around us, especially those in need? Let us strive to follow the example of Ruth and the teachings of Jesus, allowing love to guide our actions and decisions.